I didn't know she had Lupus!!

Okay not Barbara Bush, the dog!!  Yes, dogs can have Lupus.  Millie the dog belonged to former President Bush and first lady Barbara.  Millie lived with Lupus for many years.  She even had puppies with no difficulties.  Millie, with some help ;-), wrote a book about living with Lupus.  How cute!!  It was very inspiring for many people.  This book brought Lupus to the public eye.  Go Millie!!  What a Lupus advocate.  Millie died from pneumonia in 1997 at the age of 12, but she will never be forgotten.  It is amazing who (what) can get Lupus!!  We are definitely not alone!!


Millie's Book

QUICK FACT 7

✔Lupus can run in families, and research suggests that genes are involved in the development of lupus. However, lupus also can develop in people with no family history of the disease. (LFA)


   

FLASHBACK #3

I am just thinking about my last flare up.  How long was it really going on?  I was diagnosed with pneumonia twice and given 5 different antibiotics within 4 months.  Only to find out it was NOT pneumonia. I had terrible allergic reactions to all those drugs for NOTHING.  This was very frustrating.  What do we pay these doctors for? 


Anyhoo, I was in really bad shape.  I could not do anything for myself for a long time.  I was not eating or moving at all.  I just stayed in bed. Some days I could barely walk.  It was terrible.  Finally after not going into work, not calling in and not answering when they called, I was rescued.  My co-workers came and took me to the doctor, and then eventually I was admitted into the hospital. I really didn't want to go, but it was the best thing for me.  When I get there the nurses didn't believe I was the patient.  They said that their patients usually don't walk in.  I guess I was the lucky one.  :-/


When in the hospital they removed 730ml of fluid off of my right lung (the surrounding sack).  The fluid on left lung would be resolved with Prednisone (YEAH!). This fluid was not a result of pneumonia, it was a flare up.  It seems like my rheumy could have figured this out before I was half dead, but obviously that is not in his job description.  


As a result of this most painful situation, I had to take 4 months off of school and work.  I could barely go back in January.  I still missed about 2 weeks worth of work, because I still not feeling well. (BTW it's May and I am still having chest pains smh) Lupus can really put a wrench in your plans I tell you.  I am happy to be alive and well (for the most part).  I have learned to really appreciate every good day and make the best of the bad ones.  It can always be worst!!  


Lupus Awareness and Fundraising is so very important.  We need better treatments and programs.  Most importantly We need a CURE!! Spread the word about Lupus, even if you don't know anyone affected by it (Hi my name is Simone...now you do).  Cherish your life and the people in it!!  I know I do!!


With Love ღ
Simmi

May Awareness

May is:
✿ National Lupus Awareness Month
✿ National Arthritis Awareness Month
✿ American Stroke Month
✿ Clean Air Month
✿ Lyme Disease Awareness Month
✿ Hepatitis Awareness Month
✿ National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
✿ National High Blood Pressure Education Month
✿ National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
✿ National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
✿ National Neurofibromatosis Month
...and many more.
  










   

QUICK FACT 6

✔ Types of Lupus:

     ☞ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (the most common) affects many parts of the body

     ☞ Discoid Lupus Erythematosus - causes a skin rash that doesn't go away

     ☞ Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Eryth. - causes skin sores where exposed to the sun

     ☞ Drug-Induced Lupus - can be caused by medications

     ☞ Neonatal Lupus - a rare type of Lupus that affects newborns

   












Fox House M.D. It's Not Lupus Navy T-Shirt Tee  

May is Lupus Awareness Month!!

While most Americans are aware of the signs and health risks of breast cancer or heart disease, relatively few are aware of another significant health problem that disproportionately strikes young women between the ages of 15 and 45. The disease is lupus. Lupus is caused by an unbalanced immune system that can be destructive to any major organ or tissue in the body. Lupus can be very unpredictable and is potentially fatal. 


While more than 1.5 million Americans have lupus, many individuals still are unaware of the potentially disabling and life-threatening health effects of lupus. The disease is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans than among Caucasians – but no one is safe from lupus.


What is most troubling about the lack of awareness of lupus is that early recognition, diagnosis and proper medical care of lupus often can prevent or reduce serious health complications, such as heart disease, strokes, seizures, and kidney failure. 


May is National Lupus Awareness Month. Now in its thirty-first year, Lupus Awareness Month is observed to disseminate medically sound information about lupus, increase public understanding of the physical, emotional, and economic impact of the disease, and provide support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. (Washington, DC – LFA)


So lets band together and Spread Awareness.  We need support and a CURE!!!
To Join the Band go to http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/lupus-awareness-month.html


 











Cure Lupus Awareness Mug  Cure Lupus Awareness Long Sleeve T-shirt Large White

QUICK FACT 5

✔ Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects infants of women who have lupus and is caused by antibodies from the mother that affect the infant in the womb. With proper testing, physicians can now identify most at-risk mothers, and the infant can be treated at or  before birth. (LFA)

What's Love Got To Do With It??

Sex and Love.  How does your condition affect those aspects of your life?  Well, Lupus and other auto-immune diseases definitely have a significant impact.  Tiredness and pain is common for many Lupus patients.  This can affect our relationships with the people in our lives.  Romantic relationships being the most involved, are the most affected by these conditions.  


Our romantic relationships are sometimes strained when we can not do all of the things we want and need to do for our significant other.  Lupus can affect our behavior and appearance.  Some of us may be sensitive to these changes and feel that our partner doesn't understand.  The most important thing to do in this situation is to communicate effectively.  Make sure your partner knows and understands how you feel physically and emotionally.  You should also know exactly how your partner feels as well. I had trouble with the communication thing at first.  I have always been a very private person, so expressing those feelings even to someone I care about was difficult.  I didn't want to be a burden, or make anyone worry, let alone my partner.  I eventually learned that expressing my feelings and condition would make me feel better, as well as my partner.  Talking it out is helpful. 


Your sex life and closeness in the relationship can also be affected. Physically you may have pain and fatigue that can prevent you from enjoying lovemaking.  You should try to reduce pain with painkillers, warm baths, massage and other various relaxation techniques.  In order to counter fatigue you should make love at the time of day that you feel the least tired.  For example, if you feel exhausted at night, you should make love in the morning or afternoon.  Again, you have to communicate.  If you do not feel like or do not want to make love, then let your partner know and also explain why.  If they love you, then they will understand.  If not, then tell them to hit the road, because they don't deserve you!!!  


Remember that being close to someone in their arms can also be a loving experience! And it will sometimes be more comfortable for you.  Take care of yourself and express how you feel.  It will make life much easier.


With Love ❤

Fashion Break I

I Can’t Fit My Jeans!!! Why? It’s simple. When I am not well, I lose my appetite, so I lose weight. Then the doc puts me on steroids and I gain more back than I lost. So during these times my jeans are too big, then they fit again, then they are too small. This has become quite a cycle for me. When will it stop? Probably Never!!! I used to get upset and get rid of the tight, can’t button, about to tear when I put half-a-leg in jeans, but I learned to hold on to them, because I will eventually need them again. It is very frustrating when you can’t fit into your favorite jeans, but hey I love to shop so it all works out. I literally have 2 wardrobes, one regular and one that contains smaller/bigger items. So is that 3 wardrobes? It doesn’t matter, the point is that I keep them. Luckily I have a nice size walk-in closet to store everything.

If you are having the same problem don’t worry about it, have fun with it. Change your style a little, buy different colors and different brands. Try new things that you probably wouldn’t before. Tip: Buy materials that stretch, this way you can fit them even if you gain or lose a little weight. Love yourself no matter what, because you are Beautiful. εїз

So Strut your Stuff!!

Simmi

Search Amazon.com for womens jeans Search Amazon.com for mens jeans

QUICK FACT 4

Foods That Cause Inflammation:
☹highly processed foods
☹red meat
☹candies
☹crackers
☹soda
☹trans-fat
☹sugary foods
☹healthy saturated fats
☹bread
☹salad dressings
☹baked goods
☹alcohol
☹fried foods
☹nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant,  peppers, etc.)

Anti-Inflammatory (Good) Foods:

☺Fruits

☺Vegetables

☺Omega-3 foods

☺Wild Caught Cold Water Fish

☺Fish Oil Supplements

☺Flax Seed

☺Raw Nuts

☺Olive and Grapeseed Oils

Choose wisely! If you cannot totally give up the bad stuff, at least have it in moderation, and eat all natural and organic foods. It will make a big difference.  Sacrifice will pay off in the long run!!!

Search Amazon.com for anti-inflammation diet and recipe book
Search Amazon.com for lupus diet

Save Second Base

I stumbled upon a cool Breast Cancer Research Fundraiser last night.  A friend and I decided to go out, but we had no idea where to go.  So we picked a street and went to the first bar that we saw.  When we walk in, we are bombarded with pink and white t-shirts.  What's going on???  Well it just happened to be a fundraising event going on, how COOL!!!  Save Second Base!!!  We donated, entered raffles, bought goodies, and met some great people.  We really had a good time.  Something told me to take my camera, and I am so glad I did.  

Remember this is a bar, so there was a lot of silliness going on.  A guy with balloons in his shirt, pictures of big breasts all over the place, and many more foolish things all in good fun for a great cause.  I really enjoyed myself at this event, and the fact that I was supporting Breast Cancer Research made it that much better.  We need to stick together and support each other.  Support and Spread Awareness!!!

Search Amazon.com for breast cancer awareness



Happy and Feelin' Good,
Simmi    

 

QUICK FACT 3

ChNew research is confirming a definite connection between chronic inflammation and both physical and neurological diseases including:

• asthma
• Alzheimer's Disease
• cancer
• diabetes
• digestive disorders
• heart disease
• hormone imbalances
• osteoporosis

These conditions are linked by inflammation.  Research suggests that once you have one inflammatory disease there can be a spiraling downfall.  This means that you are at high risk to get another inflammatory disease, or one of the illnesses causes by inflammation.  Take care of yourself well to prevent further damage to your health.